Lahore, 30 May 2025: Pakistan took an unassailable lead in the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh as they beat the visitors by 57 runs in the second T20I here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Friday night.
Bangladesh folded for 144 in 19 overs chasing a 202-run target as only three of their batters reached double figures including no.9 batter Tanzim Hasan Sakib, whose 31-ball 50 went in vain.
For Pakistan, the spin quartet of Abrar Ahmed (3-19), Shadab Khan (1-13), Saim Ayub (1-14) and Khushdil Shah (1-25) returned combined figures of 6-71 in 11 overs. Pacers, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali dismissed one batter each.
Bangladesh got off to a promising start as Tanzid Hasan smashed five fours and one six in his 19-ball 33 before the 44-run opening stand was broken by Haris in the 4th over. In the next 2.5 overs, Bangladesh slipped to 65-5 from as Abrar struck on consecutive balls in the seventh over.
At the halfway mark Bangladesh were 78-7 before Mehidy Hasan Miraz (23, 17b, 2x4s) stitched 44 off 25 balls with Tanzim. The latter struck five sixes and one four before falling to Saim at the end of 19th over. No.11 Shoriful Islam was absent hurt due to injury.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 201-6 – their second consecutive score of 200+ and fourth such instance in their last eight T20Is, courtesy Sahibzada’s career best 41-ball 74 and Hasan Nawaz’s maiden unbeaten half-century.
After Pakistan opted to bat first, Sahibzada and Mohammad Haris came together to stitch a 103-run second-wicket stand following Saim Ayub’s departure in the second over.
The duo stayed in the middle for nine overs belting seven sixes and as many fours in their alliance as Pakistan collected 67 runs in the Powerplay and 107 runs at the halfway mark. Haris struck four fours and two sixes before he departed for a 25-ball 41 in the 11th over.
Sahibzada, who brought up his maiden T20I half-century off just 29 balls, fell to Rishad Hossain in the 13th over. Skipper Salman Ali Agha (19, 12, 3x4s) then joined forces with Hasan to put on 45 runs for the fourth wicket off 24 balls.
In doing so, the duo consigned the 13th and 14th over of the innings for 11 and 15 runs, respectively before Salman was trapped leg-before by Hasan Mahmud in the 16th over with the scorecard reading 166-4.
Pakistan collected 40 runs off the last five overs as Hasan finished with 51 not out off 26 balls hitting two fours and three sixes. For Bangladesh, Hasan and Tanzim Sakib picked up two wickets each.
Scores in brief:
2nd T20I – Pakistan beat Bangladesh by xx runs at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Pakistan 201-6, 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 74, Hasan Nawaz 51 not out, Mohammad Haris 41; Tanzim Hasan Sakib 2-36, Hasan Mahmud 2-47)
Bangladesh 144 all out, 19 overs (Tanzim Hasan Sakib 50, Tanzid Hasan 33, Mheidy Hasan Miraz 23; Abrar Ahmed 3-19)
Player of the match – Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)
Series schedule (All matches at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore):
1st T20I – Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 37 runs
2nd T20I – Pakistan beat Bangladesh by xx runs
3rd T20I – Sunday, 1 June at 8pm PKT
